President H. M. Persinger, Jr., called the joint meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education with the Mingo County Board of Education to order at 2:03 p.m. on December 11, 2002, in the Board Room, Mingo County Schools, Route 2, Box 310, Williamson, West Virginia.

Brenda Skibo, Superintendent, Mingo County Schools, welcomed the Board and introduced Mingo County Schools staff, principals, students and a number of special guests and dignitaries.

IV. Review of Accomplishments in Mingo County Schools Since 1998

Bill Luff, Deputy State Superintendent, Ted Mattern and David Temple, former Mingo County Schools Superintendents, and Brenda Skibo, the current Superintendent of Mingo County Schools, provided an overview of improvements/achievements that have occurred in Mingo County Schools since the West Virginia Board of Education's takeover of the system in 1998.

V. School District Approval Status and School Accreditation

Status Based on Follow-up Education Performance Audit

of the Mingo County School System

Dr. Kenna R. Seal, Director of the Office of Education Performance Audits, reported that an on-site review of the Mingo County School System was conducted on April 18 - 19, 2000 and a Follow-up Education Performance Audit team returned to Mingo County on November 27, 2002 to verify correction of the noncompliances identified during the original on-site review.

Based on the performance data, results of the Follow-up Education Performance Audit, and updated Unified School Improvement Plans, Dr. Seal reported that the Mingo County School System meets the specified criteria and is no longer considered to be Seriously Impaired.

VI.Discussion/Action

Following Dr. Seal's announcement, Dr. Stewart recommended that control of the school system be returned to the Mingo County Board of Education. Barbara N. Fish moved, and Paul J. Morris seconded, that control of the Mingo County School System be returned to the local board.

President Persinger read a statement from Sheila Hamilton who was unable to attend the meeting and was President of the State Board at the time of the West Virginia Board of Education's takeover. Following congratulatory remarks from both Boards for the work of the Department, Legislature, members of the Mingo County Board of Education (past and present), Mingo County Schools central office staff, principals, teachers and non-teaching personnel, the citizenry and business community of Mingo County, the Board, by unanimous vote, returned control of the Mingo County School System to the Mingo County Board of Education.

Dr. Seal further recommended that the Mingo County School System be issued Temporary Accreditation status, one (1) school be awarded Exemplary Accreditation status, sixteen (16) schools be granted Full Accreditation status, three (3) schools be issued Conditional Accreditation status and one (1) school remain on Seriously Impaired status.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Sandra M. Chapman, the Board unanimously issued the Mingo County School System Temporary Approval status, recognized one (1) school for achieving Exemplary Accreditation status, granted sixteen (16) schools Full Accreditation status, issued three (3) schools Conditional Accreditation status, and issued one (1) school Seriously Impaired status. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

VII. Recess - West Virginia Board of Education

With the common consent of the Board, President Persinger called for a ten minute recess at 3:12 p.m.

VIII. Adjournment - Mingo County Board of Education

President Fullen called for a motion to adjourn.

Upon motion by Dr. Jerry Mounts, second by Dee Kapourales, and unanimously carried, the Mingo County Board of Education adjourned at 3:14 p.m.

IX. Retirement of Bill Luff

The Board recognized Bill Luff, Deputy State Superintendent, for his dedication and numerous achievements over the past eleven years with the Department.

X. Policy 3233 - Resolution of Establishment for

Regional Education Service Agencies

Bill Luff provided a report regarding revisions to Policy 3233 - Resolution of Establishment for Regional Education Service Agencies. Following a lengthy discussion concerning the requirements section two options were proposed for numbers 1 and 2; both options are to be submitted for a vote at the December 12 meeting. (Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

XI. Policy 2515 Uniform Grading System

Bill Luff provided a report regarding Policy 2515 - Uniform Grading System which the Board will be asked to place on public comment at the December 12 meeting. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

XII. Legislative Priorities

Bill Luff provided a report regarding suggested legislative priorities for the 2003 legislative session.Following a lengthy discussion it was decided that: 1) initiative number four would be split and the number of initiatives would total ten, 2) no numeric value would be assigned to the list, and 3) a survey would be developed and distributed regarding the effectiveness of last year's modification of state code regarding personnel evaluations.(Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

XIII.Liaison Appointments

President Persinger distributed a listing of committees/boards on which members of the Board serve as liaisons and asked members to review the list and advise him of concerns prior to the December 12 meeting.

XIV. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education will be held December12, 2002 at Tug Valley High School, 555 Panther Avenue, Nagautuck, West Virginia.

XV. Adjournment

Upon motion by Ronald B. Spencer, second by Delores W. Cook, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 5:03 p.m.